UP’s new transfer policy allows transfers on medical, education and family grounds

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh govt on Tuesday issued its annual transfer policy for 2026-27, laying down detailed guidelines for the transfer of govt officers and employees across departments. The new policy replaces the previous order dated May 6, 2025, and will be applicable for the current transfer session ending May 31, 2026.According to the policy duly signed by chief secretary SP Goyal, Group A and B officers who have completed three years in a district or seven years in a division will be mandatorily transferred. However, tenure served in headquarters or divisional offices will not be counted for this purpose. Postings in divisional offices will be limited to a maximum of three years.The govt has also capped transfers of Group A and B officers at 20% of the total working strength in each cadre. Transfers beyond this limit will require approval of the chief minister. The strength will be calculated on the basis of those posted and not on the basis of sanctioned strength.Group B officers will be transferred by their head of the department after due approval of the minister concerned. After due completion of the transfer period, the minister will take due approval of CM for further transfer. It also mandates that Group A and B officers should not be posted in their home districts.For Group C and D employees, the transfer limit has been fixed at 10%, extendable up to 20% with ministerial approval. The policy emphasises that officers with the longest tenure at a posting will be given priority for transfer within the prescribed limits.The policy also envisages that officers of doubtful integrity be restrained from being transferred to sensitive posts.Special provisions have been made for aspirational districts such as Chitrakoot, Chandauli, Sonbhadra, Fatehpur, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Shravasti and Bahraich. All vacancies in these districts and identified development blocks must be filled on a priority basis, and employees posted there may be transferred after two years based on their preferences. Furthermore, after a period of two years, options shall be sought from the personnel posted in these areas, and they shall subsequently be transferred out. The cut-off date for determining the eligibility period for transfers shall be considered as March 31, 2026.Transfers may be considered based on the personal grounds of an officer/employee, such as medical requirements, the education of their children, or the care of minor children of a parent who passed away during the course of govt service. Transfer/adjustment may be affected subject to the availability of a vacant post or the consent of another officer/employee, provided there are no administrative objections to such a move.If both husband and wife are in govt service, they may be transferred to be posted in the same district/city/location, as far as practicable.As far as practicable, consideration shall be given to posting Group C and D employees who are due to retire within two years to their home districts. Similarly, consideration shall be given to posting Group A and B employees, excluding their home districts, to a district of their choice.Transfer orders must contain specific instructions regarding the date of relieving personnel. They should stipulate that, within a specified date or one week from the date of issuance of the orders, they must assume charge of their new post without waiting for a replacement. Departmental action shall be initiated against any officer who, in contravention of the transfer orders, fails to relieve the concerned personnel.Personnel posted in the eight districts covered under the state's Aspirational District Scheme as well as in all districts of the Bundelkhand region shall not be relieved by their controlling authorities until their respective replacements have assumed charge. This restriction shall not apply to officers belonging to the IAS, IPS, IFS, PCS and PPS cadres.All actions related to the online transfer of personnel, specifically the issuance of transfer orders, orders for relieving from duty, or deemed relieving, and the assumption of charge, shall be mandatorily executed through the Manav Sampada portal.The state, divisional and district-level presidents and secretaries of recognised service associations of govt servants shall not be transferred for a period of two years from the date they assume office within their respective organisations.If any govt servant attempts to exert pressure against such orders, such act/conduct shall be deemed a violation of Rule 27 of the Govt Servants Conduct Rules, 1956. Consequently, action shall be initiated against the employee in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Govt Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999, as amended, and the matter of their suspension shall also be duly considered.The policy said that the transferring officer should prepare a Charge Note detailing important matters, development programmes, projects, etc., to facilitate the new officer in the efficient discharge of their duties. In the interest of the public and from an administrative perspective, the CM may, at any time, issue orders for the transfer of any personnel.